Today’s Verse
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
Already There
I love this verse from Deuteronomy so much. It’s what the author of Hebrews 13:5 (the verse we covered in yesterday’s devotional) was referencing. But, yesterday we focused on God’s promise to never leave us. Today, we’re looking at the fuller context: God doesn’t just stay with us…He goes before us.
As you know, I’m a bit of a planner which means I’m always thinking about what’s ahead. I’m not always worried about it, but it’s definitely front of mind. The conversation I need to have. The decision I need to make. The situation I don’t know how to handle. I rehearse scenarios, try to prepare for as many possibilities as I can, attempt to control outcomes before they even happen. And still, those little bits of anxiety creep in because I can’t see what’s coming.
But here’s what this verse reminds me: I’m not the first one there. God goes before me.
This isn’t just a nice sentiment, it’s a concrete reality that changes how I walk into every moment. Before I enter that room, God is already there. Before I have that difficult conversation, He’s already present. Before I face whatever challenge is waiting, He’s gone ahead of me, preparing the way.
Moses spoke these words to the Israelites as they stood on the edge of the Promised Land, terrified of what they’d encounter. God wasn’t sending them alone. He was going first. And He promised to stay with them, never leaving, never forsaking.
And this is true for you today. God isn’t waiting to see how you handle things and then showing up if you need help. He’s already in your future, tomorrow, next week, next year, preparing the way. You’re not walking into the unknown. You’re walking into where God has already been.
Today’s Prayer
Lord, You go before me into every situation I’ll face today, every conversation, every challenge, every unknown.
I’m not walking into anything alone or unprepared, because You’ve already been there, surveying the landscape, preparing the way, making crooked paths straight.
Teach me to walk with confidence not because I know what’s ahead but because I know You’re already there, that I’m following in footsteps You’ve already made.
You go before me as my advance guard, clearing obstacles, opening doors, arranging divine appointments, orchestrating details I cannot see or control.
Help me release my anxiety about the future when I remember that You’re already in my tomorrow, that nothing will surprise You, that You’ve gone ahead to prepare the way.
Remind me that this is true not just for big moments but for ordinary days, that You go before me into the mundane, the routine, the everyday as much as the extraordinary.
Give me peace to step forward without fear, knowing that wherever I’m going, You’ve already been, and Your presence ahead of me makes even the scariest path safe.
Let me walk today with the assurance that the Lord goes before me, and because of that, I can face whatever comes with courage, knowing I’m never the first to arrive.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Art print
If you’re interested in purchasing a wall art print of this piece you can find out more on my online store here. It’s available as an 8×10″ print on Hahnemuhle German Etching Paper.